The Savannah is a tall lean graceful cat with striking dark spots
and other bold markings. It is a domestic breed which closely resembles
its ancestral source, the African Serval, but is smaller in stature.
It is affectionate and outgoing, with exceptionally long neck, legs,
and tall ears, as well as a medium length tail, the Savannah is both
unusual and beautiful. The Savannah is also an exceptionally graceful
and well balanced cat.

History

The first known Savannah was born April 7, 1986 when a female domestic
cat gave birth to a kitten sired by an African Serval. This F1 (first
generation hybrid cross) was the first on record. This unusual female
kitten had both domestic and Serval like traits. Both the kitten and
breed were named "Savannah". Patrick Kelly heard about Savannah
and decided he wanted to try to develop a new breed. He persuaded a
breeder, Joyce Sroufe, to join him in his efforts. Together they wrote
the original TICA Breed Standard. TICA accepted the Savannah for registration
in 2001. The Savannah was accepted for Championship status by TICA in
2012.

Personality

One of the most amazing traits of the Savannah is its remarkable
personality. It is a very curious, assertive cat that seeks out adventure
at every opportunity. It is a very active cat, that needs a great deal
of interaction on a daily basis, either with its human family or with
a companion cat. It is also a very loyal cat who will bond strongly
with its human family. It is not a lap cat, but will show affection
on its own terms, often by greeting family members at the door, following
them around the house and giving frequent headbutts. Many Savannahs
love to play in water. They can easily be trained to walk on a leash
with a harness, and most love to play games such as fetch.

The Savannah cat is a unique and amazing feline. Most people who
own or have met Savannahs will say that they have never met a cat like
them and become avid fans. The Savannah is not for everyone, but for
those who seek a unique pet and lifelong companion, the Savannah fits
the bill.

Traits

The Savannah has many traits that make it stand out. Perhaps the
most obvious are the large, tall ears that are set right on top of its
head. Another unique trait of the Savannah is it's hooded eyes that
are flat across the top. This gives it an exotic look unlike any other
breed. The body on the Savannah is very long and the legs are quite
long as well, creating a false image of a very large or heavy cat, but
in reality, most Savannahs are just the size of a large domestic cat,
and weigh less than another cat of similar size. It also has a very
long neck and a short, thick tail, adding to its distinctiveness.